Enslaved by ducks by Bob Tarte

The amphibians and reptiles of Michigan: a Quaternary and Recent faunal adventure by J. Alan Holman

Birds of Detroit by Chris C. Fisher, Allen T. Chartier

Michigan turtles and lizards: a field guide and pocket reference by James H. Harding and J. Alan Holman ; photography and illustrations by James H. Harding, except where otherwise credited

Fish of Michign field guide by David Bosanko

The wolves of Isle Royale: a broken balance by Rolf O. Peterson

Fowl weather by Bob Tarte

Alden B. Dow: midwestern modern by Diane Maddex

Art Deco in Detroit by Rebecca Binno Savage and Greg Kowalski

Art in Detroit public places by text by Dennis Nawrocki ; photographs by David Clements

Buildings of Michigan by Kathryn Bishop Eckert

Artists of early Michigan: a biographical dictionary of artists native to or active in Michigan, 1701-1900 by compiled by Arthur Hopkin Gibson ; research assistants, Beverly Bassett and Jean Spang

Marshall M. Fredericks, sculptor by edited by Suzanne P. Fredericks ; introductory essay by Edgar P. Richardson ; foreword by Sammuel Sachs II ; researched and compiled by Marcy Heller Fisher ; with contributions by Barbara Heller ... [et al.]

Beyond the windswept dunes: the story of maritime Muskegon by Elizabeth B. Sherman

Deadly voyage: the S.S. Daniel J. Morrell tragedy by Andrew Kantar

Gales of November: the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Robert J. Hemming

Many a midnight ship: true stories of Great Lakes shipwrecks by Mark Bourrie

Mighty Fitz: the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Michael Schumacher

Ships and men of the Great Lakes by Dwight Boyer

Ships gone missing: the Great Lakes storm of 1913 by Robert J. Hemming

Michigan's motto declares: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." With that in mind,  take some time to explore the natural beauty and wonder of our great state with the resources listed below. For more ideas explore the Pure Michigan website.

Of woods and water: a photographic journey across Michigan by Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan ; foreword by Dave Dempsey

The paddler's guide to Michigan by Jeff Counts

Hiking Michigan by Roger E. Storm, Susan M. Wedzel

Belle Isle to 8 Mile: an insider's guide to Detroit by edited by Andy Linn, Emily Linn and Rob Linn

Twelve classic trout streams in Michigan: a handbook for fly anglers by Gerth E. Hendrickson ; fully revised by Jim DuFresne

Michigan has a rich history of ethnic diversity. Early European explorers were met by the most populous Native American tribes of the Ottawa, Potawatomi, and the Ojibwa (or Chippewa) people. Later, in the 17th century, the French voyageurs explored and settled in Michigan. These included Etienne Brule, Jacques Marquette, and Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of the city of Detroit. However, over time large populations of various European, Middle Eastern, and Asian ethnicities have emigrated to our state. Find out more about the people who have contributed to Michigan's growth and culture.

Arab Americans in Metro Detroit: a pictorial history by Anan Ameri ; Yvonne Lockwood

Arab Americans in Michigan by Rosina J. Hassoun

Chaldeans in Michigan by Mary C. Sengstock

Michigan by David Lee Poremba

Bold women in Michigan history by Virginia Law Burns

State of war: Michigan in World War II by Alan Clive

Bath massacre: America's first school bombing by Arnie Bernstein

Lives and legends of the Christmas tree ships by Fred Neuschel

Eyes on fire: witnesses to the Detroit Riot of 1967 by edited by Heather Buchanan, Sharon Stanford, Teresa Kimble

The Way-Back Room: A Memoir of a Detroit Childhood by Minock, Mary

A desira

Michigan remembered: photographs from the Farm Security Administration and the Office of War Information, 1936- 1943 by edited by Constance B. Schulz ; with introductory essays by Constance B. Schulz and William H. Mulligan, Jr

Father Abraham's children: Michigan episodes in the Civil War by Frank B. Woodford ; new foreword by Arthur M. Woodford

A drive down memory lane: the named state and federal highways of Michigan by LeRoy Barnett

The Potawatomis, keepers of the fire by R. David Edmunds

Picturing Hemingway's Michigan by Michael R. Federspiel

Lumberjack: inside an era in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by William S.

Michigan is home to many noted authors. Whether native born or longtime residents, writing fiction, nonfiction or poetry, the following authors have produced a remarkable body of work.

Myths and mysteries of Michigan: true stories of the unsolved and unexplained by Sally Barber

Unexplained Michigan mysteries: strange but true tales from the Michigan unknown by Gary Barfknecht

Michigan haunts and hauntings by Marion Kuclo, the green witch Gundella

When Michigan was young: the story of its beginnings, early legends, and folklore by Ethel Rowan Fasquelle

Weird Michigan: your travel guide to Michigan's local legends and best kept secrets by Linda S. Godfrey ; Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran, executive editors

Myths and legends of the Mackinacs and the Lake Region by Grace F. Kane

Ghost stories from Canton by Virginia Bailey Parker ; illustrated by Sharon Lee Dillenbeck and Roy Rinke

Anybody who grew up in the Detroit area has fond memories of the people, places and things that formed their childhood. Some are still with us but others have disappeared into history. Whatever the case, take a trip back in time and revisit them right now!

Hudson's: Detroit's legendary department store by Michael Hauser and Marianne Weldon

Sanders confectionery by Greg Tasker

From Soupy to nuts: a history of Detroit television by Tim Kiska

Hydroplane racing in Detroit, 1946-2008 by David D. Williams and the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum

Detroit's Belle Isle: island park gem by Michael Rodriguez and Thomas Featherstone

Michigan herb cookbook by Suzanne Breckenridge & Marjorie Snyder

Guide to Michigan vegetable gardening by James A. Fizzell

The Midwest fruit and vegetable book by James A. Fizzell

Our Michigan: ethnic tales & recipes by edited by Carole Eberly ; cover by Toni Gorkin, ill. by Beverly Woodard

The history of Michigan wines: 150 years of winemaking along the Great Lakes by Lorri Hathaway & Sharon Kegerreis

The feast nearby: how I lost my job, buried a marriage, and found my way by keeping chickens, foraging, preserving, bartering, and eating locally (all on $40 a week) by Robin Mather

Traveling through time: a guide to Michigan's historical markers by edited by Laura Rose Ashlee

Michigan, the Great Lakes state: an illustrated history by George S. May, JoEllen Vinyard

The sweetness of freedom: stories of immigrants by Stephen Garr Ostrander & Martha Aladjem Bloomfield

The Toledo War: the first Michigan-Ohio rivalry by Don Faber

Michigan ghost towns of the Upper Peninsula by compiled by Roy L. Dodge

The Underground Railroad in Michigan by Carol E. Mull

I invented the modern age: the rise of Henry Ford by Richard Snow

Read about some of the many noteworthy individuals who have made their mark on our great state!

Life with Mae: a Detroit family memoir by Neal Shine

The Dodge brothers: the men, the motor cars, and the legacy by Charles K. Hyde

William G. Milliken: Michigan's passionate moderate by Dave Dempsey

Empire builders: how Michigan entrepreneurs helped make America great by Burton W. Folson, Jr

Detroitland: a collection of movers, shakers, lost souls, and history makers from Detroit's past by Richard Bak

The situation in Flushing by Edmund G. Love

The Michigan Notable Books program annually selects 20 of the most notable volumes published that year that best reflect the state's diverse ethnic, historical, literary and cultural experiences. Most of the winning titles can be found in the Library's collection. From fiction to nonfiction, the following list offers a variety of choices:

American Poet by Vande Zande, Jeff

The amphibians and reptiles of Michigan: a Quaternary and Recent faunal adventure by J. Alan Holman

Bear has a story to tell by written by Philip C. Stead ; illustrated by Erin E. Stead

The boy governor: Stevens T. Mason and the birth of Michigan politics by Don Faber

Earn your Geek Out badge with one of these books from some of the Internet's most popular bloggers:

Let's pretend this never happened: (a mostly true memoir) by Jenny Lawson

Sleep is for the weak: the best of the mommybloggers including Amalah, Finslippy, Fussy, Woulda Coulda Shoulda, Mom-101, and more!: a blogHer book by edited by Rita Arens ; forward by Stacy Morrison

Sparkly green earrings: catching the light at every turn by Melanie Shankle

Heaven is here: an incredible story of hope, triumph, and everyday joy by Stephanie Nielson ; with Amy Ferguson Hackworth

Carry on, warrior: thoughts on life unarmed by Glennon Doyle Melton

Detroit turns 312 this year! The city was founded on July 24, 1701 by the French explorer Antoine Laumet de Lamothe Cadillac. Originally named Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit, its name was shortened by the British after they had gained control of the settlement during the French and Indian War. The city is known throughout the world as both an automotive center and the birthplace of some of the world's best known musical talent. Several nicknames have been attached to Detroit throughout its long history: Motown, Hockeytown, the Motor City, the City of Champions, and the Arsenal of Democracy all reflect the city's acheivements. Although the city has undergone some tough times in recent years, Detroit can be proud of its contributions to both the country - and the world. Several new books and films have been produced recently about the city's current problems, but there is much to celebrate as well. For a taste of the city's history, as well as a picture of its present, check out some of the titles below:

Gone are the visions of pencil protectors and computer nerds. These days, the term "Geek" is used to describe those who are passionate about a particular hobby or interest. Perhaps one of these titles will inspire you to Geek Out!

Geek girls unite: how fangirls, bookworms, indie chicks, and other misfits are taking over the world by Leslie Simon; illustrations by Nan Lawson

Record collecting for girls: unleashing your inner music nerd, one album at a time by Courtney E. Smith

Read about some of Detroit's greatest hits!

Brewed in Detroit: breweries and beers since 1830 by Peter H. Blum

The Vernor's story: from gnomes to now by Lawrence L. Rouch

TV land—Detroit by Gordon Castelnero

The birth of the Detroit sound: 1940-1964 by Marilyn Bond and S.R. Boland

Fired magic: Detroit's Pewabic pottery treasures by Marcy Heller Fisher ; illustrated by Marjorie Hecht Simon

100 years of Ford: a centennial celebration of the Ford Motor Company by David L. Lewis and the auto editors of Consumer Guide

The story of Motown by Peter Benjaminson